Hiking at Bousquet Mountain: the Trail to Mahanna Cobble

Bousquet Mountain is a ski area in Pittsfield, Massachusetts. For hikers, it is the gateway to the Mahanna Cobble Reserve, a 222-acre property managed by the Berkshire Natural Resources Council (BNRC). The trail starts at the base of the ski area.

The Mahanna Cobble Trail

The Mahanna Cobble Trail is a 3.2-mile (5.15 km) out-and-back, rated difficult: BNRC says the effort comes from the elevation changes. The route has two parts. The first, 0.6 mile (0.97 km), is on Bousquet property. The second is a 1-mile (1.6 km) single-track trail with switchbacks and stone steps.

The start, at the base of the ski area

Look for the hiker sign across from the top of Tube Town. The wooded path is marked by posts with blue blazes and crosses the Drifter ski slope. According to BNRC, you cross the slope at its narrowest point, then follow the blue blazes.

The viewpoint

At the end of the trail, grassy ledges open to an uninterrupted view south over Kennedy Park and Yokun Ridge. A stone bench dedicated to George Wislocki, BNRC's founding executive director, sits there, and BNRC lists picnicking among the activities. On the way back, the descent gives views of Pittsfield and the North Berkshires. BNRC lists summer and fall as the best seasons.

Ski season

The start of the trail crosses ski slopes. Bousquet's page asks hikers to use caution during ski season and to yield to skiers. An iBerkshires article from January 2021 reported that this access had been reopened so that Mahanna Cobble could be reached in winter, and that hiking there was free and open to the public.

Dogs

According to Bousquet and BNRC, dogs must stay under your immediate control on the Mahanna Cobble Trail. If you continue south on the Yokun Ridge Trail, dogs, bikes and hunting are not allowed on Mass Audubon land.

Going further: Yokun Ridge

The Yokun Ridge Trail and its connecting trails make up more than 10 miles of routes in BNRC's High Road project, between Pittsfield and Lenox by way of Richmond. Bousquet Mountain is the northern trailhead, via the Mahanna Cobble Trail. Owners differ from one stretch to the next, and so do the rules: dogs and bikes are allowed only on part of the route, and through-hikers from Bousquet to Lenox may not bring them. Where dogs are allowed, they must be leashed.

Before you go

The trailhead is at 101 Dan Fox Dr in Pittsfield. Bousquet and BNRC link trail maps (guide, topographic map, aerial photo map) on their pages. The Summer section of the ski area's website also mentions Summit Sounds concerts and other events; for hours and trail conditions, call the ski area at 413-442-8985.